Love That Dog

 

Sharon Creech, without question, is one of my favorite authors. I don't know how she does it, but every time I read a book of hers, I just can't put it down. Love That Dog is no exception. This poetic book infuses a nice combination of humor, sadness, and reality all at once. This book follows a young boy, Jack, in school and takes you on his journey of his love/hate relationship with writing. The first two pages read:

September 13

I don't want to

because boys

don't write poetry.

Girls do. 

September 21

I tried.

Can't do it.

Brain's empty.

Read this book to see how Jack copes and what loving a dog has anything to do with this book!

I would use this book when teaching poetry. It just goes to show kids that poetry is limitless. It has very little boundaries and writer's can do so much with it. It also shows how to make fun shape poems.  Also, I think this book has the power to reach boys in their writing. This might just be a book that would make a boy want to write!

If you LOVE Sharon Creech, take a look at Hate That Cat, Ruby Holler, The Wanderer, and Walk Two Moons.